If it's full of errors, too long or generic, a hiring manager probably won't give it a second look. But aside from avoiding these very basic resume mistakes, what else can you do to impress a recruiter?

With Halloween right around the corner, here's how to ensure your resume makes it into the "must call" pile (and isn't scaring employers away):

Avoid These 5 Resume Mistakes

Failing to capture attention.

Think like a hiring manager. If you were scanning through dozens (or even hundreds) of resumes, what would capture your attention? Tweak your lead-off to highlight accomplishments and facts that are relevant to the job posting. If your resume has a "Career Objective," make sure it's concise and aligned with the position to which you're applying. The more closely your resume matches a recruiter's needs, the more likely it is to capture attention – and land you an interview.

Not offering proof.

Any candidate can claim to have helped an employer save time, improve quality or increase customer satisfaction, but vague descriptions make little impact on a hiring manager. Set yourself apart by using numbers to back up your claims (e.g., “increased sales from repeat customers by 10%,” “decreased client wait-times by three minutes,” etc.). Quantify the results you delivered whenever possible, or find other concrete ways to describe what you have achieved.

Choosing the wrong format.

In this earlier post, we review the three most common resume formats and provide tips for choosing the right style to present your accomplishments and work history in the best possible light.

Selling yourself short.

In many ways, your resume is a sales tool. Make sure yours does a great job explaining how the value you offer (i.e., your job skills, expertise, accomplishments and soft skills) translates into benefits the employer needs. Write in active voice to build a compelling bulleted list of your qualifications that clearly shows the employer what you bring to the table.

Ignoring keywords.

Keywords put your skills into focus for a recruiter and help them determine, at a glance, whether you're a viable candidate. Make sure the employer finds the key terms they're looking for on your resume! Review the job posting, research industry trends and scan similar job listings to generate a list of a dozen or so descriptive, relevant keywords. Incorporate them throughout your resume, wherever they make sense (never "stuff" them at the top).